The Observation Deck

Dan Alaimo wrote:In defense of the Observer, they really have to run all that political fluff out of fairness. But did anyone send something in about 64? They won't run anything unless it's submitted. I trust there will be room in the next edition. It's more than a month till the election.

Jim O'Bryan wrote:However, this issue we ran out of pages, and took our promises to elected officials very seriously.

Michael Deneen wrote:

Jim O'Bryan wrote:However, this issue we ran out of pages, and took our promises to elected officials very seriously.

That's not good enough, Jim.

You "ran out of pages" because you decided to run propaganda from every politician in town...including the ones who wish to abolish the Observer.

Jim O'Bryan wrote:In all fairness, we could have pulled the masthead, or cartoon, it is very relevant.

Bill Call wrote:What is it and what does it mean?
There is a lot of disinformation about the prosed charter amendment, issue 64. Here is the language as approved by the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections and the Ohio Secretary of State:

A majority affirmative vote is required for passage.

Shall the Second Amended Charter of the City of Lakewood be amended to create an automatic referendum requiring an affirmative vote by a majority vote of the electors of the City of Lakewood at a general or special election for passage, on any ordinance adopted by council that would cause Lakewood Hospital to no longer be a full-time and full-service hospital and medical facility providing, without limitation, inpatient
diagnostic, medical, surgical, and psychiatric care for a continuous period longer than twenty-four hours?

The amendment does not require the City to have a hospital.

The amendment does not save Lakewood Hospital.

The amendment does not make the City responsible for health care in Lakewood.

The amendment does not prohibit the closure of the Hospital.

The amendment does not require a majority of registered voters to approve of closure of the Hospital.

The amendment simply allows for an automatic referendum if the City Council votes to close the Hospital.

The current City Charter allows for referendums on issues such as the closure of the Hospital. Making the referendum automatic will simply make the process quicker and more transparent.

If the amendment passes any decision by Council to close the Hospital will require the approval of a majority of those voting in the automatic referendum.

That’s it.

What is it and what does it mean?
There is a lot of disinformation about the prosed charter amendment, issue 64. Here is the language as approved by the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections and the Ohio Secretary of State:

A majority affirmative vote is required for passage.

Shall the Second Amended Charter of the City of Lakewood be amended to create an automatic referendum requiring an affirmative vote by a majority vote of the electors of the City of Lakewood at a general or special election for passage, on any ordinance adopted by council that would cause Lakewood Hospital to no longer be a full-time and full-service hospital and medical facility providing, without limitation, inpatient
diagnostic, medical, surgical, and psychiatric care for a continuous period longer than twenty-four hours?

The amendment does not require the City to have a hospital.

The amendment does not save Lakewood Hospital.

The amendment does not make the City responsible for health care in Lakewood.

The amendment does not prohibit the closure of the Hospital.

The amendment does not require a majority of registered voters to approve of closure of the Hospital.

The amendment simply allows for an automatic referendum if the City Council votes to close the Hospital.

The current City Charter allows for referendums on issues such as the closure of the Hospital. Making the referendum automatic will simply make the process quicker and more transparent.

If the amendment passes any decision by Council to close the Hospital will require the approval of a majority of those voting in the automatic referendum.

That’s it.

Pam Wetula wrote:
Thanks Bill for this explanation but I would also like to point out that Mayor Summers continues to mislead the public on this issue. last night at the CANDIDATES FORUM, he was asked about Issue 64 (Skindell was not allowed to respond to this question??).

Mike Summers stated that issue 64 would result in a vote for any small change in the hospital. This is clearly not true. He spoke about how no changes could be made without a vote (nonsense). Then he muttered something about small changes that could affect a full service hospital "whatever that means". At this point it appears that Mike Summers does not know what a full service hospital means. I cannot quote exactly what he stated yesterday (Except for the "full service hospital..whatever that means" and there was no recording allowed but his intention was clear and he clearly was lying to that audience about the effects of issue 64 on hospital operations.

Issue 64 is clear..It does not tie the hands of anyone who is running the hospital. It will not prohibit any healthcare provider from being interested in running Lakewood Hospital nor will it hamper the CCF if they decide to abide by their lease and maintain their commitment to a full-time, full-service hospital until 2026. It does not affect day to day operations or changes in operations UNLESS they would cause Lakewood Hospital to no longer be a full time, full service hospital. The State of Ohio is very clear on what that is and inpatient, 24 hour + services are required to be called a hospital on Ohio.

Summers & Build Lakewood need to stop the lies.

Marguerite Harkness wrote:It will remain OPEN.